Nepal floods highlight increased risks of melting glaciers as Himalayas warm

Recent catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet was likely triggered by the collapse of a glacier. Preliminary investigations by scientists suggest a large chunk of a glacier broke off, temporarily damming a river before unleashing a torrent of water, mud, and debris. This disaster swept away entire communities, highlighting the increased risks associated with melting glaciers as the Himalayas warm. Experts from the waterSHED Lab at the University of Calgary discussed the scale of this environmental crisis.